In 2024, we celebrate 40 years of the European Framework Programme, the largest instrument for promoting European Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) and a beacon for international scientific cooperation.

Since 1984, the European Union’s Framework Programme (FP) has supported scientific, technological, and innovation advancements in Europe. It has served as the largest transnational tool for promoting R&D&I and as a guiding light for international scientific collaboration. The programme aims to bridge the gap between research and its practical applications, creating a tangible societal impact.

As we mark 40 years of the FP, a National Innovation Agency (ANI) the Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation (AICIB), the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), and the Portugal Space, entities responsible for promoting R&D&I activities and enhancing Portugal’s participation in the current framework programme, Horizon Europe (2021–2027)—will commemorate this milestone with a series of initiatives throughout the year.
These activities will not only reflect on the achievements of the past 40 years by showcasing success stories but will also foster discussions about the next framework programme, highlighting its crucial role in positioning national R&D&I and enhancing the competitiveness of Portuguese institutions.